I’m still here, which is kind of a surprise. Here is the pub I inherited less than a year ago, Sullivan’s, in this place called Leap. It’s in Ireland, in a really small town. There’s a weird history to the name, about some guy a couple of hundred years ago who made his horse leap over a creek. Which doesn’t explain why it’s pronounced “lep.”
Anyway, the pub has been around almost as long as that story, and before I got it, it was run by an old guy named Mick Sullivan, who was some kind of relative of my grandmother, who raised me in Boston. I never knew Mick (mostly 
called Old Mick, because there’s a Mick who works in the pub now), but because of my grandmother I now have a pub, and a house outside of Leap. More than I ever expected. Gran raised me in a rental in South Boston, which was not a great neighborhood when I was a kid.
I guess I could have sold the pub and gone back to Boston, but there was no one and nothing there for me, so I figured I’d stick around and see what was what. I’d worked in bars before, since before I was legal, really, but I’d 
never run one myself. But I’m pretty sure Irish pubs aren’t like Boston ones. I’m still trying to figure out how to bring customers in. It’s not so bad in summer, when there are tourists passing through, and we’re on a main road. But now it’s fall, and there aren’t so many tourists. Sure, I’ve got local customers, mostly men who come in once a day for a pint of Guinness and some conversation—called craic around here. No, not crack cocaine, just talk. Yeah, it’s confusing. It’s amazing how long they can nurse one pint when they get to talking.
Since I’ve been here, weird things have happened, like first somebody found an old body in a bog, and I kind of 
helped figure out who he was. Then there was this New York woman who came looking for a painting from some artist who died a long time ago, and she ended up a murder suspect. Is this normal? Got me. Now the people who’ve worked at Sullivan’s longer than me talked me into inviting a bunch of musicians who knew the place maybe ten or fifteen years ago back here to play. I was surprised when a lot of them came. Not that I’d ever heard of any of them, but some people told me they were big names, or at least they used to be.
I was even more surprised when one of them ended up dead. I’ve got to say, the murder rate around here is really 
low—nothing like Boston—so I don’t get why I keep ending up in the middle of murder investigations. At least the police—they call them gardaí around here—seem to be good guys, but I don’t know how good they are at investigating murders because they don’t see many.
You know, I don’t say it a lot, but I kind of like the place. Ireland, I mean. The people have been really good to me, and the business is doing all right. At least, if I make it through the winter. But if we keep the music events 
going, now and then, that’ll help bring in more customers. I’ve kind of made friends, which I didn’t expect. And I feel responsible for the people working for me at the pub, because there aren’t that many jobs around here, so I don’t know where they’d go if I closed Sullivan’s down. They’d probably get by. But honestly? I’d hate to see the pub shut down. So I’m going to keep trying to make it work. Wish me luck—which in Irish is ádh mór, or so they tell me. Easy to remember.
You can read more about Maura in An Early Wake, the third book in the “County Cork” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first two books in the series are Buried in a Bog and Scandal in Skibbereen. Note: Congratulations to Sheila as An Early Wake is on the New York Times Bestsellers List.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on February 23 for the chance to win a copy of An Early Wake. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Sheila Connolly, Anthony and Agatha Award–nominated author, writes three bestselling cozy mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. Her “Museum Mysteries” are based in Philadelphia, her “Orchard Mysteries” take place in rural Massachusetts, and her “County Cork Mysteries” are set in Ireland, and include Buried in a Bog and Scandal in Skibbereen, both New York Times bestsellers. In addition, she writes a paranormal romance series, which began with Relatively Dead in 2013. She has also published Once She Knew, a romantic suspense, and Reunion with Death, a traditional mystery set in Tuscany, as well as a number of short stories. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three cats, and visits Ireland as often as she can.
Visit Sheila at her website or on Facebook
*Photos taken by Sheila from her trips to Ireland.
I would so like to visit Ireland…well, all of the British Isles really. Thank you for the giveaway.
I would love to win this book.
Ireland sounds lovely, and I would love to get a chance to visit the country. I am looking forward to reading the County Cork mystery series. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
It would be wonderful to inherit a pub in Ireland. I bet the customs would take some time to adjust to. I would love to win this book. I am glad to have found this series. Thank you.
I love these County Cork stories! I especially enjoyed An Early Wake because of the Irish music storyline. I’m a huge fan of traditional and modern Irish music and got a kick from the mentions of performers I enjoy hearing. Keep up the great stories.
With a family name of Murphree, it follows that I’m fascinated by all things Irish, especially Irish pubs, Irish music, & Irish whiskey. This series has all 3; I’ve read Buried in a Bog, & would love to win this volume. Crossing my fingers & thinking positively.
We have two Irish names in my family. Love the giveaway.
Marilyn Watson ewatvess@yahoo.com
I have been in love with Ireland since I saw The Quiet Man. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to read her new book!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I haven’t read this series yet and it sounds wonderful, I had better get started. My friend visited Ireland years ago and raved about it, I would love to go some day. Thanks for the chance to win.
Every time I read a blurb like this, I long to go back to Ireland. I miss it. I was only a tourist, but there to meet family, and astonished to find myself on the family tree over there. I am forever connected. It is a part of me.
I am completely sold on this series, it has a great setting, history and characters! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love this series and it’s set in my favorite place.
Moonbay7399@gmail.com
One of my favorite cozy series!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
wOULD LOVE TO GET INTO THIS SERIES. i HAVE READ SOME OF THE MUSEUM SERIES AND ALL OF THE ORCHARD SERIES SO i GUESS i SHOULD START THIS ONE .
Dru Ann, thanks for having me, or Maura (who is definitely not me!). I sometimes wonder if I should take credit for writing these, because places and people and stories just kind of happen to me when I’m in Ireland. It really is special. If you’re ever driving along the south coast of Cork on the main road, you’ll go right by “Sullivan’s.”
This looks like a good book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
Sounds great ,would love to read this. I love Ireland
I love this series. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. Reading about Maura and her friends is the next best thing!
I would love to read this, thank you for the chance 🙂
Sounds charming ! Would love to win this one. New series to me.Thanks!
I have read several of her books and I especially love this series! Having visited Ireland a few years ago, i can see why one falls in love with the country. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of her newest County Cork Mystery.
I have book 2 on my kindkle so this would be great. Love seeing Ireland from your eyes
This sounds like a great book! I would love to visit Ireland, maybe someday…for now I have to visit vicariously! Thank you for the review and contest!
Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of this book! It sounds like a lot of fun. I love hearing about Ireland many of my relatives came from there.
Looking forward to reading this. I’ve been to Ireland so I can visualize some of what is in the book. thanks for the chance to get it soon.
Adventure enough going to a different country, but all the murders! Good reads.
I have been waiting for this one since I finished the 2nd in the series.
Thank you, Dru and Maura/Sheila. The first thing that catches my eye is the cover of “An Early Wake”. Then, I’ve read nothing but good things about the series and this book. I look forward to reading it!
would love this!
Oh man a cozy mystery set in Ireland. I have so got to read this set of books!!
I want/need to get going on this series!
Really enjoyed the first two books in the series. Maybe as I had a first generation irish grandma named Mary Alice Kelly. Thanks for the chance to win this book..
This will fit right into our family, lol, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Sounds like a great read.
Visiting Ireland is on my bucket list. This book will make it one step closer for me. Thanks for the opportunity and your review.
Ireland is someplace I would love to visit. Thanks for the opportunity to do so through this book.
Tending bar in an Irish pub? Interesting! Thanks for the giveaway.
This story sounds great
I visited Ireland and picked up the prior books based on that trip. KI particularly enjoyed Scandal in Skibberdeen and think the third installment will be great as well.
I’d love to visit Ireland and go to a REAL Irish pub. But I probably will have to settle for just reading another one of these wonderful books. Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This sounds interesting, I too have run a bar and know what it’s like wishing customers would do a little less talking! Thanks for the giveaway.
This book sounds awesome I would love to win
Sounds like a great read.
thanks for the chance to win a good read!
Sounds good , I have never read anything by this author , but always looking for new authors . Would love to win . Thanks
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
Books are the best prizes! I’m fascinated .
I am currently reading Buried in a Bog and enjoying it. Thank you for a chance to win An Early Wake.
I’ve always wanted to see Ireland. This book sounds great. Thanks for this chance.
I would love to read this – having wanted to see Ireland for many years, this might be the closest I could get! So I know that it will be great. Many thanks for offering this contest!
Always glad to see another Sheila Connolly book out. She’s a great author. This is one that I’m really looking forward to reading. Thanks for the chance to win.
i have read the previous books in this series. I have enjoyed them all
Heard good things about this one.
Thank you, Dru and Maura for the chance to win this giveaway. The review was great and it pulls me in from the get-go! My paternal grandparents were from Ireland, and If I were able I would visit the beautiful country. Not being able to travel, I would love to read about the countryside in Maura’s book. I’m also a born and raised Massachusetts gal and would love to read that series.
Can’t wait to read this book, Ireland sounds lovely. Thanks for the chance to win 😉
I’d love to visit Ireland; until I can go, books will fulfill the urge! Thank you for the giveaway.
Ireland is on my bucket list of places to go! I haven’t read any of th e Maura books but reading about her here is going to get me started. Thank you for the chance to get a copy of the latest about her.
I love this series!
This sounds fantastic!!
Sounds wonderful! I just visited Ireland for the first time last year and now I try to get my hands on all things Irish! I read Sheila Connolly’s short story “Under the Hill” and loved it. Thanks for the post!
Would love to visit Ireland, even if only vicariously.
Sounds like a good read.
I’d love to start reading this series! Thank you for the opportunity to win a free copy of this book!
I would like travel to Ireland, sounds amazing
Sounds like a good book.
Enjoy Shiela Connolly’s books. Would really enjoy the setting. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book.
Put me on the list. Great cover.
Loved the first two books. Reading this series, I became immersed in the Irish culture. Thanks for the chance to win.
I enjoyed each book in the Orchard series and am looking forward to reading this series.
Sounds like a great series. Please add me to the giveaway!
This would be captivating. thanks
ádh mór! I would love to sit and lounge in your pub, nursing a pint and listening to the locals.
Thank you
I would love to meet Maura in An Early Wake!
Would love to add this book to my TBR pile!
Great pictures~I would love to visit Ireland! This sounds like a great book! Thank you for the contest!
Thank you for a chance to win
How fun! I love reading books that introduce a new culture. I will be adding this to my TBR list. Thanks!
Love New books. Thanks.
Feature Ireland and I’m in. Never been there but already have fallen in like wih a place named Sligo. Count me in for the giveaway.
Never read this author before, but always interested in a new experience!
Sounds really good
Love to read this book
This book looks really good. Reading this would let me travel too Ireland.
One of the things on my bucket list is to go to Ireland. This books is perhaps one of the next best things. Thanks for the review/interview.
I would love to win. Always looking for new authors and I’m interested the Irish people.
I would love to read this novel. I have read several of Sheila Connolly’s book and liked them all. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
contest is closed.